Job Opportunity: Associate Botanist, West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins WV

[John Burkhart]

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the WV Natural Heritage Program are seeking applications for an Associate Natural Heritage Botanist. The position will be stationed in Elkins, WV. The position is full-time with the opportunity to be renewed annually.

The successful applicant will work with the State Botanist to implement a wide variety of plant conservation projects. This will provide the opportunity to conduct scientific exploration across the state of West Virginia and work with diverse partners, including state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The Associate Botanist will also assist in the curation of the WV Natural Heritage Program Herbarium and create and maintain records of plant diversity using electronic databases.

The primary qualification for this position is a strong knowledge of regional flora, including plant identification, ecology, diversity, and distributions. Additional skills and experience that are highly desired include herbarium specimen curation; establishment of vegetation plots; data entry, preparation, and basic descriptive analyses; database management and querying; use of spatial data, including preparing field maps and mapping plant distributions; field use of handheld GPS for navigation and data collection; and the maintenance of detailed field notebooks and other written records. Other valued skills in this position include experience with statistical software and programming (e.g., R), strong narrative writing skills, natural history photography, general natural history knowledge (birding, herpetology, entomology, mycology, etc.), experience organizing and executing scientific/technical field work, operation of 4wd vehicles, use of small watercraft to navigate rivers and lakes, hiking through rugged terrain including mountains, streams, and wetlands, and general outdoor skills.

Duties include:
• Monitoring of federally threatened and endangered plant species
• Conducting de novo surveys and monitoring for state and globally rare plants
• Establishing vegetation plots using Natural Heritage methodologies
• Assisting in the collection of native plant materials, including seeds and live cuttings, using established protocols and methodologies.
• Driving, including operation of 4wd vehicles
• Herbarium curation, including collection of material, maintenance of collection records, mounting, labeling, and entering data into curatorial databases
• Preparation of field maps using GIS and handheld devices (mobile devices, Garmin, Trimble)
• Entry of spatial data from field GPS units into spatial software
• Entry of tabular data into database software
• Basic data analysis- data preparation and quality control, preparation of summary statistics, and statistical analysis
• Database management and querying
• Contributing to writing tasks through editing, researching, and writing. Audiences for writing include scientific journals, technical reports, floras/manuals, and popular media.
• Communicating with state, federal, private, academic, and nonprofit partners via email, phone call, video chat, and in-person and in-the-field meetings.

Minimum Qualifications: A B.S. or B.A. in biology, botany, plant taxonomy, vegetation ecology, horticulture, or similar field. Professional and/or extensive personal experience identifying plants is mandatory. A master’s degree in a botanical/plant science field is valued, but a bachelor’s degree with work or research experience is acceptable. Experience using Microsoft Office and/or Google programs, and creating professional documents, presentations, and spreadsheets is required. Previous experience using ArcMap or similar spatial software is highly preferred, but an otherwise qualified applicant could receive on-the-job training. Prior experience working with statistical software is desirable. Experience planning for and conducting field work. Experience working in an herbarium or other natural history museum is desired but not essential. Experience managing data. Ability to hike 5 miles over rugged terrain while carrying a light pack is essential.

Application Materials: Applications should include a current resume or CV detailing the applicant’s education and relevant experience, a cover letter, and contact information for three professional references. Although not required, applicants are also encouraged to share a writing sample. Applications should be saved as a single PDF document and e-mailed to John Burkhart at john.q.burkhart@wv.gov by December 31, 2022. Please use the subject line “Heritage Botanist Application ____________” where the blank is your first and last name.

Applications from first-generation college students and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged. The State of West Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Details:

Location: Elkins, West Virginia
Pay: $17.00/hour
Start date:  February-May 2023. Flexible start date to accommodate successful applicant.
Duration:  Temporary (1-year with ability to renew)
Supervisor: John Burkhart, Natural Heritage Botanist
Application Deadline: Applications should be submitted by December 31, 2022
Benefits: Health insurance is available. Please inquire for details.

 

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